MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Odds & Picks: Saturday (10/11)
The 2025 MLB Postseason rolls on with a Saturday night NLDS Game 5 matchup between the Chicago Cubs and Milwaukee Brewers. As you enjoy this intense elimination game, let’s dive into the top MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) picks and predictions.
If you're unfamiliar with MLB NRFI bets, they’re pretty simple. We're betting on whether or not any runs will be scored in the first inning by either team. Both starting pitchers must pitch a scoreless first inning for the bet to cash.
Let's get to my favorite MLB NRFI picks and plays for the Cubs vs. Brewers NLDS Game 5 on Saturday, October 11th.
- MLB NRFI/YRFI Cheat Sheet - Team View
- MLB NRFI/YRFI Cheat Sheet - Matchup View
- MLB Prop Bet Cheat Sheet
- MLB Consensus Odds
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Saturday's Best MLB No Runs First Inning (NRFI) Picks
(All odds courtesy DraftKings Sportsbook)
Chicago Cubs at Milwaukee Brewers
Starting Pitchers: TBD vs. TBD
This series has featured a ton of scoring in the first inning. Over the first four games of this NLDS, the Cubs and Brewers have combined to average 5.3 runs in the opening frame. Plus, every game so far has seen at least three runs scored in the first, so let's just follow the trend and lock in the Yes Runs First Inning (YRFI).
Both offenses have been locked in to start the game. It hasn't mattered which pitcher is on the mound, either. Chicago and Milwaukee are scoring runs early against regular starters or openers in bullpen games. In fact, 21 of the 35 total runs scored in the series have come in the first.
The Cubs, specifically, have plated at least one first-inning run in every NLDS game. That includes three straight games with 3+ runs scored in the opening frame. The Brewers, meanwhile, have scored a first-inning run in three of the four games thus far.
As for Saturday's Game 5, the starting pitching matchup hasn't been announced as of late Friday night. The Cubs are expected to roll out Shota Imanaga. He started Game 2 and immediately allowed three runs in the first inning. The left-hander also gave up two runs in four innings of his Wild Card outing. Plus, he had a 6.51 ERA across five September starts.
Imanaga struggled plenty in the first inning this season. He had a poor 15-10 NRFI record this season with a 6.12 ERA in the opening frame. The Cubs may use an opener ahead of Imanaga for this Game 5. However, when they did that in the Wild Card round, Andrew Kittredge coughed up a run in the first inning anyway.
On the other side, the Brewers are expected to use an opener in a presumed bullpen game. It also may be lefty Jose Quintana. Honestly, it doesn't matter who starts the game for Milwaukee, with how hot the Cubs’ offense has been in the first inning this series.
Pick: YRFI (+100)